SECTION 1. The department of revenue shall create a regional board of assessors implementation grant program, not to exceed $5 million annually, to encourage the creation of joint or cooperative assessing departments among 2 or more cities or towns, as allowed by section 26 of chapter 41 of the General Laws.  The regional board of assessors implementation grant program shall assist in defraying the implementation costs of joining 2 or more assessing departments in a formal, long-term agreement.  Such agreements shall aim to share resources and coordinate activities among the assessing departments.  Applicants may propose to use implementation grants for costs including, but not limited, to: consultants for legal, financial or organizational development, training education, costs for communication, software or technical applications, and staffing.

Eligible applicants shall include groups of municipalities who intend to execute or explore the feasibility of executing formal agreements to create regional boards of assessors.  Applications for prospective regional boards may be submitted on behalf of municipalities applying together; by a lead municipality chosen from among the applicant municipalities; by a regional planning agency; or by a regional council of governments.  Municipalities may be added to the regional board after submitting an application.

SECTION 2. The department shall establish the program by January 1, 2014.